9:20pm Friday 13th November 2009
By Tom King
THE title of Basildon Players’ latest production says it all, or almost. It Was a Dark and Stormy Night promises spooks and scares galore, but also a strong dose of comedy.
Written by the prolific American playwright Tim Kelly, the story is summed up as “a terrifying comedy”.
A surprise, and very noisy, thunderstorm forces a group of strangers to take refuge in the obscure and mysterious Ye Olde Wayside Inn.
Suddenly, the almost empty hotel is stuffed with characters, almost everyone of them a touch peculiar. Mysterious and inexplicable events start to happen at regular intervals.
What sinister secrets does the old hostelry guard? And just what wickedness are the Saltmarsh sisters and their cousin Ebenezer up to?
Director Mike Gleeson says: “We don’t want to give too much away about the plot or characters, since the play is full of surprises.
“But it gives lots of opportunities for a large cast, and audiences are guaranteed a good evening’s entertainment.”
A regular member of the Players, Mike has in the past directed Allo, in June 2006, and Sweeney Todd, in June 2008.
He also acts regularly, most recently as Mr Mash in Are you Being Served.
Other cast members include Sally Ann Nicholls and Laly Sanchez.
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